The forests that ring Lake Superior are some of the most magical on the continent. At the tip of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, in Copper Harbor, you’ll find the Estivant Pines. This 570 acres of old-growth pine has lured hikers for decades. But saving this stand of ancient timber was no small feat.

It started over 50 years ago and in this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with photographer and forester Charles Eschbach from Houghton, Michigan, about his work to protect one of the Upper Peninsula’s most remarkable natural treasures.

Tune in to learn how his story of conservation--from skiing in deep snow with his camera to the cooperation of classrooms around the region--has inspired generations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Estivant Pines are one of the last contiguous stands of old-growth white pines in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with some trees towering over 150 feet and dating back 500 years.
• Grassroots efforts, including a committee of 17 citizens and even fundraising by schoolchildren, were critical to saving the sanctuary from logging in the 1970s.
• Photography played a pivotal role in raising awareness, with Charles documenting the pines’ beauty and the destruction they faced, galvanizing public support.
• The sanctuary’s preservation has inspired generations, creating a deeper understanding of the value of conserving natural habitats for future generations.
• Conservation efforts have not only saved the forest but also educated the public, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility in the region.

Notable Quotes:

• “You always know your backyard the best, and the Keweenaw is my backyard.”
• “The kids led the way. School children raised money, from quarters dropped in buckets to can drives, to save these trees.”
• “These trees are four to five hundred years old. It’s amazing that they’re still there.”
• “Our little committee of seventeen people persevered through countless setbacks.”
• “This is a piece of history - a legacy of what we’ve preserved and achieved.”

Resources:

• Estivant Pines Sanctuary Information: Estivant Pines (https://www.michigannature.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=locationgallery&action=listing&listing=110)
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: NPLSF Website (https://www.nplsf.org/)

Be sure to tune in to this inspiring episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to hear Charles’s incredible story of conservation and community dedication.

Connect With Us:

• Website: Lake Superior Podcast
• Facebook: National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation
• LinkedIn: NPLSF on LinkedIn

Since time began humans have been foragers. Survival depended on connecting to the natural world. Today, when most of our food comes from a grocery store or is eaten in a restaurant, that link has been lost. But not for Tim Clemens. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Tim, a professional forager and founder of Ironwood Foraging about how he’s helping people connect with nature; and not in the middle of the forest or farm country, but near his urban home of Minneapolis.

Key Takeaways:

• Foraging is not limited to rural or wilderness areas—urban environments, like the parks and green spaces in Minneapolis, offer surprising edible treasures.
• Learning to identify wild edibles is key to safe foraging, and local foraging groups or societies can be invaluable resources for beginners.
• Tim emphasizes the importance of indigenous traditions and thinking long-term, such as planting trees for future generations, in the practice of foraging.
• Foraging creates a deeper connection to the natural world, making people more mindful stewards of the environment by seeing it not just as scenery, but as a source of sustenance.
• Foraging is becoming increasingly popular, moving beyond farm-to-table into forest-to-table, and gaining recognition in both local communities and top-tier restaurants.

Notable Quotes:

• "Foraging has gotten so much more popular, and just like the farm-to-table movement, the next iteration of that is the forest-to-table movement or the prairie-to-table movement."
• "You need to identify the species you're trying to eat before you eat it. You really should identify something first because there are things that can hurt you."
• "When you’re foraging, suddenly it's your blueberry patch... it's not just a backdrop for human activity anymore. You’re going to be attached to individual trees...and you're just going to be a better naturalist for that."
• "For most of the year, I don't buy rice because I harvest my own. There are things I never buy anymore. I don't buy fruit, I don't buy greens, I don't buy mushrooms, and I don't buy nuts."
• "We have folks who have backgrounds in biology like myself and folks who have backgrounds in graphic design. There's room for all those people and a need for all those people because we need people to balance our budgets, fix our computers, design our graphics."

Resources:

• Ironwood Foraging Website: https://ironwoodforaging.com/
• Minnesota Mycological Society: https://minnesotamycologicalsociety.org/
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation: https://www.nplsf.org/

Be sure to tune in to this insightful episode of the Lake Superior Podcast to learn more about the art of foraging and how you can reconnect with the environment through this ancient practice.

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.nplsf.org/lake-superior-podcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-parks-of-lake-superior-foundation/

Witnessing the Northern Lights checks a bucket-list for many. The first time you see the sky erupt in waves of pulsing white, green, red, or even blue light makes lifelong memories. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Astrophysics Graduate Student Ogetay Kayali from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. Ogetay shares not only why we seem to be experiencing the Northern Lights more frequently, but also how to better take advantage of the experience with our cameras.

Key Takeaways:

• The northern lights are at their peak due to the solar maximum, a phenomenon that happens every 11 years, increasing the likelihood of bright auroras.
• The colors in the northern lights, ranging from green to red and purple, are caused by the interaction of solar particles with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere.
• With advances in technology, it's easier than ever to capture the auroras on cameras, even smartphones, though understanding camera settings like ISO and exposure can enhance the quality of your photos.
• Dark skies are critical for viewing the northern lights, and the Lake Superior region offers excellent vantage points for experiencing this natural wonder away from city lights.
• The best time to see the lights is during winter months with longer nights, and checking the moon's phase can also help—new moons provide the darkest skies for optimal viewing.

Quotes:

• "We are currently at solar maximum, so we are expecting lots of solar storms that hit the Earth and cause northern lights. That's pretty normal. Every 11 years that happens" – Ogetay Kayali
• "If you have a camera, first try to learn using it. If you have a mobile camera, go to the darkest place you can and use long exposures to collect more light." – Ogetay Kayali
• "Take that chance, even when the forecast looks cloudy...you've got to try it." – Ogetay Kayali

Resources:

• For daily astronomical insights and stunning celestial images, visit NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html).
• To learn more about designated dark sky parks and optimal stargazing locations, visit Dark Sky Parks near Lake Superior (https://darksky.org/places/keweenaw-michigan-dark-sky-park/).
• For more information about NPLSF, visit National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (nplsf.org)

Don’t miss this captivating episode as Ogatai Kayali, an astrophysics graduate student, explains the science behind the Northern Lights and why we’ve been seeing them more frequently along Lake Superior. Tune in for an in-depth look at the solar cycles, photography tips, and how Lake Superior’s dark skies provide some of the best stargazing opportunities in the world.